OLYMPIA – The Senate bill to legalize gay marriage withstood its first challenge from the House Monday morning as the Judiciary Committee voted to pass the measure.

The seven Democrats on the committee voted in support of the bill while the five present Republicans opposed it. Clark County's sole committee member – Rep. Ann Rivers, R-La Center – did not show up to vote.

Several amendments to the bill came up for discussion but the committee turned each of them down.

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The bill will make its next stop in the Rules Committee, where it is expected to pass and likely move to the floor later this week.